The maximum and minimum distances of Earth from the Sun are r₁ and r₂. What is its distance from the Sun on a line perpendicular to the major axis drawn through the Sun?
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The maximum and minimum distances of Earth from the Sun are r₁ and r₂. What is its distance from the Sun on a line perpendicular to the major axis drawn through the Sun?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: The semimajor axis is a=(r₁+r₂)/2 and eccentricity e=(r₁−r₂)/(r₁+r₂). Step 2: At true anomaly 90°, the orbital equation gives r=a(1−e²)=2r₁r₂/(r₁+r₂). Final answer: C — 2r₁r₂/(r₁+r₂).